REAL Science Odyssey, Biology 2

RSO Biology 2 is a comprehensive biology course designed to meet and exceed the National Science Education Standards for life science at the middle school level (grades 5 through 8). But unlike many science textbooks, RSO Biology 2 is not a dry collection of facts and worksheets but rather an in-depth course that engages young people's minds at the same time they are actively participating in the learning of biology.

RSO Biology 2 has been created specifically for home, group, and small classroom use. The course assumes no science background for teacher or student, and there is no need for an expensive laboratory. RSO Biology 2 uses natural settings that encourage students to explore the world around them through the hands-on application of scientific method, observation skills, analytical skills, and age-appropriate mathematics.

The course is contained in two books: student and teacher guide. The student book functions as a textbook and a workbook, organizing the student's lessons, lab instructions, lab sheets, research, and assessments all in one place. The teacher guide is set up to resemble the student book. Each lesson is reviewed in the teacher's guide with further explanation not found in the student book, as well as answers, suggestions, grading, learning goals, resources, and scheduling.

Divided into 32 chapters, both books together provide a rigorous and complete middle school biology course that covers a 36-week school year. Each chapter begins with an entertaining written lesson that is followed by several components intended to reinforce the lesson, address the needs of different learning styles, and engage students in hands-on learning and research.

Major topics covered in RSO Biology 2: Cells, Genetics, Anatomy & Physiology, Evolution, Ecology, and Classification.